Clip attaching device



Oct. 17, 1939. G. J. BAETZHOLD ET AL, 2,176,115

CLIP ATTACHING DEVICE Filed Sept. 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR5 Geo/Q6:- J 516 7'ZHOLD a d d. 67/5572)? MOL V/VEUX BY A TTORNE Y.

4 Sheets-sheet 2 CLIP ATTACHING DEVICE Filed Sept. 28, 1936 G. J. BAETZHOLD ET AL Oct. 17, 1939.

' INVENTORd (43:24 TTORNEY.

Giana: d. BAI'IZHOLD BY d amsrr/e Ma; r/vrux jfig. 4

Jfig. 3

17, 9 G. J. BAETZHOLD ET AL 2,176,116

0L1? ATTACHING DEVICE 7 Filed Sept. 28, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORJ d, 67/115727? Macy/V1711 Oct. 17, 1939. G. J. BAETZHOLD El AL CLIP ATTACHING DEVICE Filed Sept. 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jfig. 24-

1 N VEN TORfi 65096! d. BAf/ZZHOLD J 6H5 B Y 6 TE)? M01 wwrox ,1 ITURNEY.

Patented Oct. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES CLIP ATTACI-IING DEVICE George J. Baetzhold and John Chester Molyneux, Jamestown, N. Y.

Application September 28, 1936, Serial No. 102,884.

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved open end spring clip for clipping together a plurality of sheets of material or for clipping suitable indicia to one or more sheets, and particularly to a device for automatically spreading the clips preparatory to and during insertion of the sheets and for releasing the clips for installing the same thereon when the sheets are fully inserted.

For the purposes of illustration, a use of the clip and device for clamping together greeting cards and their accompanying envelopes will be described, the use and application thereof for other purposes being readily apparent from the illustrative example.

In the sale and display of greeting cards, the customary practice is to temporarily clamp together each card and an "associated envelope with a suitable detachable clip, the clip often carrying indicia designating the price, or to clamp to the card alone a suitable tab bearing price designations, and the like. Necessarily, such greeting cards and envelopes must be free from any blemishes caused by smearing, breaking, or scarfing of the paper. Considerable difficulty has been encountered with the prior hand and machine methods of installing clips of this character on the cards and envelopes rapidly and economically, and without smearing, scarfing or otherwise damaging the cards and envelopes.

Such prior methods require considerable care and time, disproportionately increasing the expense of preparing the cards for the market. Likewise, difliculty has been encountered in seating the cards and envelopes within the clip to the full depth with the result that the clips quite often become disconnected from the cards and envelopes or the price tags become lost when handled by the customer.

The principal objects of the present invention, therefore, are to provide an open end spring clip which may be readily installed on one or more cards or envelopes, and a device for installing the same quickly and efficiently without danger of smearing, tearing or scarfing of the cards during installation of the clip. I

Another object is to install the clip uniformly for substantially its full depth onto the cards so that the cards are so firmly gripped thereby that the clip will not become displaced accidentally in the usual handling in the trade.

A more specific object is to provide a device for installing the clips in which the cards can readily be inserted and their edges properly aligned, the clip properly positioned and spread in advance of the cards for receiving the cards edgewise, and then released when the cards are fully inserted therein, the cards being at all times untouched by the clip or spreading device until the final gripping of the cards by the clip itself. 5

Another specific object is to press the cards firmly together at the zone of, and preparatory to, installation of the clip thereon.

Another specific object is to provide an improved spreading means for such a clip which enters the clip from the open end in advance of the cards, moves relatively therein for spreading the clip and laterally of the'clip concurrently and which is constrained during such combined relative movement to a relatively small predetermined spaced relation in advance of the cards, and is retracted from the cli laterally after the cards to be clipped have been fully inserted within the clip.

Another specific object is to provide an appa- 2Q ratus for this purpose in which a plurality of such clips are carried in a suitable magazine and automatically fed in to proper position for installation successively as each preceding clip is installed and removed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification, wherein reference is made to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of one'form of the invention, certain parts being broken away to show the clips within the magazine and the operating parts therefor.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section showing the device in normal inoperative position. i

Fig. i is another enlarged fragmentary View partially in section'showing the mechanism in operative position where the clips are spread apart to receive the edges of the sheets and prior to release of the spreader from the clip jaws.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary'front view showing our method of retracting the spreaders for effecting disengagement from the jaws of the clip.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of a modification of the device.

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of still another modification.

Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the clip spreaders used in Figs. 8 and 7 respectively.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of 55 the clamping device employed in the modification shown in Figs. '7 and 8.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the forward pedestal.

Fig. 13 is a perspective View of one form of clip ejector.

Fig. 14 shows the spreaders employed in Fig. 1

and the mounting therefor.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of the means for withdrawing the spreaders from the clip.

Figs. 16 to 22 inclusive show various modifications of the clip.

Figs. 23 and 24 are end and side elevations of the clip in mounted position within the magazine.

Fig. 25 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the clip.

Fig. 26 and 27 are end and side elevations of another form of clip and the magazine therefor. And

Fig. 28 is a clip showing indicia embossed in the surface.

Broadly, the apparatus comprises a card carrier and a clip carrier, the carriers being mounted for movement relatively toward and away from each other, the card carrier accommodating and aligning the edges of the cards to be clipped and the clip carrier supporting the clip to be installed in a position with its open end disposed toward and aligned with the relatively oncoming edges of the cards in the card carrier.

Means are provided to press the cards firmly together temporarily at the zone at which the clip is to be installed, and a spreader operable consequent upon relative movement of the carriers together, enters the open end of the clip in advance of the cards and moves concurrently toward the base of the clip and toward the lateral limits thereof, spreading the clip and maintaining a position in advance of the cards during such movement, which is continued until the edges of the cards are disposed fully within the clip, whereupon the spreader is retracted laterally from the clip so that the clip snaps onto the cards. As a result, the cards are fully inserted within the clip without contact with any of the clip installing mechanism or the clip itself until the snapping of the clip in the final installed position thereon.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the clip attaching device is shown comprising a base I on which is mounted a pair of spaced pedestals 2 and 3 near the rear and forward ends of the base, respectively. Resting on the upper ends of the pedestals 2 and 3 is a suitable horizontal channel-shaped clip retaining magazine 6, having inturned flanges 5 extending nearly the full length thereof.

Within the magazine 4 are a plurality of preformed open end spring clips 9 which are preferably made of some suitable resilient sheet material having a considerable amount of elasticity. These clips are generally U-shaped having jaws E5 and l, the free ends of the jaws being normally in pressure engagement with each other. While the clip may assume various forms such as shown in Figs. 16 to 22 inclusive, later to be described in detail, only the particular clip 9 will be briefly described for the present.

The marginal edges of the clip 9 are provided with notches II which receive the flanges 5 in the magazine 4. A plurality of such clips are placed within the magazine, the free ends of the clips projecting upwardly from the flanges 5. Thus the clips are free to be moved longitudinally from the rear to the front end of the magazine 4.

The clips may be urged forwardly through the medium of a suitable follow block I slidably mounted within the magazine 4 and operated by any suitable means, such for example, as a spring tape mechanism I2, of the type commonly used for typewriter carriages and the like.

It will be noted from Figs. 3 and 4 that the flanges terminate a short distance from the forward end of the magazine 4 so that the notches II in the foremost clip are free from the flanges 5 and the clip is thus in position to be ejected from the magazine 4 in a manner later to be described.

A number of loose sheets I4 which are to be clipped together are carried toward the particular clip which has been moved to position for ejection by a generally V-shaped sheet or card carrier I5. The carrier I5 is mounted on the forward end of a lever I6 which, in turn, is pivotally mounted at its other end on the pedestal 2 by a suitable bolt II.

Mounted on the forward end of the magazine A and spaced forwardly of the terminal ends of the fianges 5, is an upwardly projecting abutment I3 which serves as a stop for the clips 9 within the magazine A and which also acts to guide each clip during its movement toward the sheets.

The carrier I5 is transversely disposed relative to the base I and comprises forward and rearward walls I9 and 20 respectively which converge at the lower edges for the purpose of aligning the edges of a plurality of loose sheets I4. This carrier I5 is provided with a central opening 22 extending upwardly from the lower edges of both walls I9 and 20 into which the abutment I3 partially extends. This opening 22 lies directly in line with the path of movement of the clip 9 which is being ejected and thereby exposes a limited portion of the sheets I4 to the relatively advancing clip 9.

Mounted on the forward wall I9 of the carrier I5 is an operating lever 2I, having a pair of depending fingers 23 adjacent each side of the opening 22. These depending fingers terminate at their lower ends in flat pads 25. A portion of the forward wall I9 of the carrier I5 is cut away to provide openings 21, which permit passage of the pads 25 into engagement with the sheets for compressing the edges of the sheets I i tightly together against the wall 25 when the lever 2| is depressed.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be seen that by depressing the operating lever 2! downwardly, the pads 25 pass through the openings 2'! and compress the loose sheets I4 against the rearward wall 2!! of the carrier I5. Further depression of the operating lever 2I carries the lever I6, the carrier I5, and sheets I4 toward the relatively advancing clip which simultaneously is being ejected from the magazine 4.

Clips 9 are ejected from the magazine 5, one at each depression of the lever I6, by a suitable ejector 30 which cooperates in timed relation with the movement of the lever I6 and is actuated thereby through the medium of an auxiliary lever 3| pivotally mounted on the base I. A portion 33 of the lever 3| extends on the opposite side of the pivotal axis from the ejector 30. This portion 33 is operatively engaged by a roller 35 which is mounted on the lever I5 slightly forwardly of its pivot IT. A finger 31 on the forward end of the lever 31 extends thru an opening 38 in the ejector 30. Thus it will be seen that as the lever I6 moves downwardly causing the roller 35 to depress the extension 33, the lever 3I and the ejector 30 accordingly move upwardly.

V the forward pedestal 3. Normally the lower end of the ejecting plate 39 rests on the base I and its upper end passes through an opening 4! in 'the lower wall of the magazine 5. The width of the opening 4| is substantially equal to the distance between the abutment i3 and the terminal ends of the flanges 5. Thus the upper end of the ejecting plate 39 lies directly beneath the foremost clip 9 so that upward movement of the ejecter 35 pushes the leading clip 9 upwardly from the magazine 4 and between the abutment I3 and the ends of the flanges 5. While the clip 9 is thus being ejected upwardly and the carrier I5, carrying the sheets I4, is being moved downwardly concurrently, the jaws 6 and I of the clip 9 are spread concurrently with the relative movement of the carrier I5 and clip 9 to allow the portion of the edges of the sheets which areleft exposed by the opening 22 in the carrier I5 to freely enter between the clip jaws.

The means for opening the jaws of the clip are best illustrated in Fig. 5 and comprise a pair of normally abutting spreaders 4! which are positioned in the path of travel of the clip being ejected and also directly beneath the opening 22 in the carrier I5 and in close proximity to the edges of the sheets I4. As the sheets I 4 are being carried downwardly and one of the clips 9 is being ejected from the magazine 4, the spreaders 4'! enter between the jaws at the open end of the clip and spread the jaws of the clip in advance of the edges of the sheets I4 to allow unhindered entrance thereof between the clip jaws 6 and I.

In Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive and Fig. 14, these spreaders 4! are shown as carried on the ends of flat rods 49 which are mounted for lateral sliding movement on the lowermost edge of the carrier I5 through the medium of suitable depending guiding flanges 5!.

Concurrently with the downward movement of the carrier I5, the spreaders 41' move downwardly relative to the clip- 9 and concurrently the flat rods 49 are caused to retract the spreaders 4'! from each other and from the clip laterally of the clip while the edges of the sheets are still interposed between and in spaced relation to the clip jaws 6 and I. When the edges of the sheets I4 have reached a position substantially fully within the clip 9, the spreaders 4! have become fully r tracted and have disengaged the jaws of the clip, Thereupon the jaws snapclosed onto the loose sheets I4 and thus bind the sheets together.

The separating action of the spreaders 4'! and the consequent release thereof from the clip is caused by suitable pins 53, mounted on the flat rods 49, which pins engage inclined cam surfaces 55 on a stationary plate 57, preferably placed in juxtaposition to the abutment plate I3. Thus as the carrier I5 and its associated parts move down wardly, the pins 53 ride on the inclined surfaces 55 causing the relative spreading action between the clip spreaders 41 and the consequent retraction thereof from the jaws of the clip 9 as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5.

Upon release of the operating lever 2 I the lever I6, carrying the carrier I5 and the sheets I 4 with the clip 9 installed on the sheets, moves upwardly through the action of a leaf or other suitable spring 58 which is interposed between the magazine 4 and the lever 3 I. Thus it will be seen that since the spring 58 urges the lever 3| downwardly, the extension 33, which is rigid therewith, moves upwardly against the roller 35 on the lever I6 and accordingly causes the lever I6 to reassume its starting position, as shown in Fig; 1.

Concurrently with the release of the lever 2|, the pads 25 on the fingers 23 are caused to release their engagement with the sheets I4 by a suitable spring 60 which reacts between the wall I9 and the lever 2I, thus permitting removal of the clipped sheets from the carrier I 5.

The opening 22 in the carrier I5 facilitates removal of the clipped sheets, suificient clearance being allowed between the marginal edges of the clip 9 and the walls of the opening 22. The movement of the lever I 5 to its starting position allows the spreaders 41 to assume their normal starting position, as shown by full lines in' Fig. 5, the movement of the spreaders to their starting position being produced through the medium of a suitable tension coil spring 6| operatively connected at its opposite ends to the pins 53. The spring is preferably positioned forwardly of the plates 51.

It will be noted from Figs. 1, 3, and 4,'that the abutment plate I3 and the plate 5'! describe an are which substantially coincides with the path of travel of the wall 29 of the carrier I5. This assures a proper guide for the clip 9 which is being ejected so that the open end ofthe clip 9 is at all times in alignment with the path of travel of the edges of the loose sheets I4. The plate 51 is likewise arched in order for the pins 53 to follow along the inclined surfaces 55 during the downward movement of the lever I6.

Figs. 6, 7, and'8, disclose modifications of the device, the principal differences from the form shown in Fig. 1 being that the carrier I5 for receiving the loose sheets I4 remains stationary while the clip 9 is moved in a straight path toward the edges of the sheets, and also that the spreaders which open the jaws of the clip are carried on pivotally mounted arms which in turn are caused to separate relative to each other during the movement of the operating lever so that the spreaders arewithdrawn from between the jaws 6 and I of the clip when the edges of the sheets are properly disposed within the clip.

Referring to Fig. 6, a main operating lever I9 is pivotally mounted on the rear pedestal 2 by means of a rod or bolt II, and comprises a horizontally forwardly-extending portion I2 and a vertically-extending portion I3 which is preferably adjacent the forwald end of the magazine 4. Duplicate levers 19 may beprovided and, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, are mounted on opposite sides of the pedestal'2. The upper endsof the portion I3 are joined together by a fiat, horizontal plate I5 The carrier I5 is rigidly mounted near the upper ends of the portions I3 and preferably in a vertical position on a forward pedestal 3a by suitable plates I6. A clamping mechanism 1! is mounted on the forward wall E9 of the carrier I5 which is operated by the operating lever I9 to compress the sheets I4 within the carrier I5 and adjacent their edges when the operating lever I9 is depressed. g

This clamping mechanism comprises a horizontal shaft 89 rotatively mounted in suitable bearings 8I rigid with the wall I9 of the holder I5. The shaft 89 is provided at its ends with resilient levers 83 which are engaged by suitable cam surfaces 84 on the portions I3 of the operating lever l9. Also mounted on the shaft 89 and spaced on both sides of the opening 22 in the carrier I5 are depending leversy85 having suitable pads 86 which are adapted to pass through the openings 21 in the wall I9 and engage and compress the sheets I4 together.

As in the previously described device, the clip 9 in this modification is also ejected from the magazine 4 simultaneously with the depression of the operating lever. In the present modification, an ejector 88 is operatively connected to one end of a lever 89, which lever is pivotaly mounted near its other end on an angle plate 99 rigid with the base I. A short extension 9| on the lever 89 projects opposite from the pivot and is in turn connected to the main operating lever I0 through a suitable shackle 93.

Thus, as the operating lever 19 is moved downwardly, the lever 89 is rapidly moved upwardly, carrying therewith the ejector 88. Connection of the ejector 88 with the lever 89 may be had through a pin 99 on the lever 89 which passes through slotted openings I99 in spaced bosses IIlI on the ejector 88 which lie on both sides of the lever 89, as shown in Fig. 13.

Also, like the ejector 39 in the previously described device, the ejector 88 is guided for vertical movement by suitable inwardly directed flanges I93 on the forward pedestal 3a and the upper end thereof projects through the opening 4| in the bottom wall of the magazine 4 and normally lies directly beneath the leading clip 9.

The jaw 8 of the leading clip 9 rests in abutting engagement with a vertical abutment I95 which, like the previously described abutment I3, also acts to guide the clip in its upward movement toward the edges of the sheets I4.

During the upward movement of the clip 9, the jaws of the clip are forced open by suitable spreaders I91 which lie directly beneath the lower edges of the sheets I4 and also directly in the path of movement of the clip.

In this manner the clip jaws B and I are opened so as to straddle the plurality of sheets without the sheets coming in contact with the clip during this movement.

These spreaders I9I are each mounted on the upper ends of suitable levers I98 which, in. turn, are pivotally mounted in oppositely disposed relation on the flanges I93 of the forward pedestal 3a, as shown in Fig. 8.

When the clip is so disposed and in a predetermined position with respect to the edges of the sheets I4, the spreaders I9I are withdrawn from between the jaws of the clip, allowing the clip to snap closed in straddle position onto the sheets.

The spreaders I91 and levers I98 are caused to separate relative to each other by the upward movement of the ejector 88. This separating action is produced by suitably inclined surfaces I II! on both sides of the ejector 88 which engage cooperating projections III on the inner edges of the levers I98 and slightly above the inclined surfaces II9.

As the ejector I98 moves upwardly, the inclined surfaces II9 engage the projections III thereby causing separation of the levers I98 relative to each other and consequent withdrawal of the spreaders I81 from between the jaws of the clip.

Still another modification of the invention is shown in the front elevation of Fig. '7, the principal difference from this and the previously described form being the means by which the spreaders are withdrawn from the jaws of the clip.

In this modification the levers I08 of the previously described modifications are replaced by bell cranks II5 which are pivotally mounted as before on the flanges I93 of the forward pedestal 3a.

These bell cranks II5 each comprise a vertically-extending portion I I6 on which the spreaders I9! are mounted and horizontally-extending arms II8 which extend outwardly laterally of the base. The ends of each of the arms II8 lie directly beneath the corresponding main operating lever I9.

As the lever I9 is forced downwardly, the lower horizontal edges thereof engage the outer ends of the arms II8, thus causing the vertical portions II6 to separate relative to each other, and consequently causing the spreaders ID! to be withdrawn from between the jaws of the clip 9.

The weight of the operating levers I9 and its associated parts and the weight of the lever 89 may be such that, upon release of the operating lever III, the levers 89 and I9 and their associated parts may assume their positions as indicated in Fig. 6. This may also be accomplished by placing a suitable spring to react, for example, between the lever 89 and the magazine 4, as was described in the preferred embodiment of this invention.

As the levers assume their respective normal positions, as shown in Fig. 6, the spreaders IO'I accordingly assume their normal abutting engagement with each other preparatory to the next operation. This abutting engagement occurs through the medium of a suitable coil spring I20 which is shown connected at its opposite ends in Fig. 8 to each of the levers I98, and, in Fig. '7, to each of the portions II6.

Referring now to Figs. 17 to 27 inclusive, the details of the preferred form of the clip to be used in connection with the device described above, and also some of the modified forms WhlCh the clip may assume, will be described.

The preferred form of the clip is best illustrated in Figs. 21, 22, and 23. As stated before, these clips are each made from a strip of resilient sheet material having a considerable amount of elasticity. This strip of material is bent double intermediate its ends so as to produce the jaws 8 and I. One of the jaws 6 may be straight and flat and slightly greater in length than the other jaw. The other jaw I may be in the shape of an elongated reverse or S-curve, one end of which curves toward and is secured to the jaw 6 and is accordingly slightly spaced therefrom. The other or free end of the jaw 1 preferably lies in pressure engagement against the inner surface of the jaw 6.

When the clip is thus formed, it is necessary that the initial pressure between the jaws 8 and I be sufficient to firmly clasp and hold a number of loose sheets or cards together so as to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of one or more of the sheets from the temporarily bound group.

The ability of such a resilient clip of sheet material to hold a number of loose sheets together is much greater than previously employed conventional wire clips. The principal reason for this increased ability to so clasp the sheets lies the fact that there is a greater amount of material at the bend in the clip of resilient sheet material than there is in any of the conventional wire clips. Hence, a much greater initial pressure can be produced and maintained between the jaws of a clip of resilient sheet material.

It will be noted that the free end of the jaw 'I terminates in an outwardly curled portion 8 till which facilitates the entrance of the clip spreaders in the device described above, and furthermore, assures the safe entrance of the edges of the loose sheets by providing, in effect, a flared entrance thereto.

The opposite edges of the clip are provided with notches ll into which the flanges 5 of the magazine 4 project for the purpose of retaining the clips therein while permitting relative longitudinal sliding movement in the said magazine. This notch I i is shown in detail in Fig. 25. It will be noted that the outer corners I la of the notch are turned slightly outwardly relative-to the jaws 6 and 1 so that the sheets will not be engaged and damaged thereby when the clip is being applied to them, or when the clip is removed from the sheets. This notching operation may be performed on the clip blank prior to the bending operation.

Figs. 16, 1'7, 18, 19, 20, 26, and 2'7 show various methods by which clips having the same general cross-section as the clip 9 may be retained in sliding engagement within the confines of the magazine 4.

In each form, however, the clips are provided, in operative effect, with shoulder portions which engage relatively overhanging shoulder portions on or rigid with the magazine.

Although a limited number of such varied forms are shown, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other forms may be made both of the clip and the machine without departing from the spirit and scope, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A device for installing open end spring clips on a sheet of material comprising a sheet receiving element for supporting the sheet, a clip supporting element for supporting a clip with its open end toward the edge of the sheet, said elements being mounted for movement relatively together to position the sheet within the clip, spreading means positioned for engaging the clip for spreading the same preparatory to relative movement of said elements toward each other the distance which would be required for efiecting entry of the sheet within the clip, and retracting means for removing the spreading means from the said position while the elements are in a relative position which would position the sheet within the clip, operating means for moving the elements relatively together, and means operatively connecting said operating means to the retracting means for effecting said removal of the spreading means from the position in which it would engage the clip upon movement of the elements by said operating means to a position in which the sheet would be disposed within the clip.

2. A device for installing an open end, friction, spring clip on the marginal edge of a sheet of material comprising a support for the material, a carrier for receiving and accommodating the clip so that the open end thereof is disposed toward the said marginal edge of the material, means for moving the carrier and support relatively toward each other in a predetermined path of travel, spreading means positioned to lie in said path, means to retain the spreading means in position in said path for a period such that the spreading means will be received between the ends of the clip during operation of the first means for effecting relative movement of the clip and the material together and preparatory to operation of the first means suificiently to cause material comprising a support for the material,

a carrier for receiving and accommodating the clip so that the open end thereof is disposed toward the said marginal edge of the material, means for moving the carrier and support relatively toward each other whereby the clip and material would be moved relatively toward each other in a predetermined path of travel, spreading means in a position in said predetermined path of travel for passing between and spread the ends of the clip during a portion of the relative movement of the carrier and the support with the clip and material therein whereby to allow the marginal edge of said sheet of material to freely pass between the said ends, and further means for withdrawing the spreading means from the said position while the support and carrier are in a relative position which would position the material in final position in the clip.

4. A device for installing onto the marginal edges of a number of loose sheets of material, an open-ended clip having spring jaws which are normally and resiliently held closed, comprising a support for the sheets of material, a carrier for engaging and carrying the clip with its open end disposed toward the support, a lever operable for causing movement of the support and carrier relatively toward each other in a predetermined path of travel which would position the sheets between the clip jaws, spreading means arranged to be moved into position for passing between the jaws and spreading the jaws apart during relative movement of the support and carrier partway toward each other, retracting means to remove the spreading means from between the jaws when the support and carrier are moved relatively additionally toward each other, and means operatively connected to the lever and operated thereby to move said spreading means into said position and to operate the retracting means.

5. A device for installing onto the marginal edges of a number of loose sheets of material on open-ended clip having spring jaws which are normally and resiliently held closed, comprising a support for aligning the edges of the sheets, a magazine for carrying a plurality of clips with their open ends disposed generally toward the support, ejecting means movable relative to the support for ejecting and moving the clips from the magazine one at a time relatively toward the support, guiding means for constraining the relative movement of the ejected clip and support to a predetermined path, a lever operable for causing movement of the support and ejecting means relatively toward each other, spreading means movable relatively toward the ejecting means and arranged to be moved into position in and withdrawn 'from the path of the ejected clip, means for returning the spreading means to a position in the aforesaid path after being withdrawn and for maintaining it in such path during relative movement of the carrier and support partway toward each other, whereby the spreading means will be caused to pass between and spread the jaws of the clip apart, and means operative upon additional relative movement of the carrier and support toward each other for withdrawing the spreading means from said last mentioned position in said path, whereby the spreading means would release the jaws.

6. In a device for installing an open-ended spring clip having jaws which are normally closed, onto the edges of a number of loose sheets of material, an operating lever, a V-shaped carrier for positioning the edges of the sheets in proper alignment, a clamp mounted on the carrier and actuated by the operating lever for temporarily holding the edges of the sheets in alignment, a magazine for slidably retaining a plurality of clips and having an open-ended portion through which the clips are removed, an ejecting means operated by the operating lever for ejecting a clip from the open end of said magazine and for moving the clip toward the carrier, open and foremost means for constraining the clip to move in a predetermined path of travel, a spreader lying in the path of travel of a clip and arranged to pass between the jaws of the clip during said movement of a clip by the ejecting means and to spread the jaws for permitting the edges of the sheets of material to pass therebetween, means for removing said spreader from the jaw spreading position after operation of the lever an amount such that it would cause the sheets to be sufficiently disposed within the clip to permit the jaws to close upon the sheets.

'7. In a device for temporarily binding the edges of a number of loose sheets together, an operating lever, a carrier for positioning the edges of the sheets in proper alignment, a clamp mounted on the carrier and actuated by said operating lever for holding the edges of the sheets in said alignment, an open end magazine for retaining a plurality of clips which have spring jaws, means operated by the operating lever for ejecting the clips one at a time from the open end of said magazine and for moving an ejected clip toward the edges of the sheets along a predetermined path of travel during each cycle of operation of the lever, a spreader lying in the said path of travel of the ejected clip in position to enter between and spread the jaws to allow said jaws to straddle the edges of the sheets when the ejected clip is moved in the direction for receiving the sheet, means for withdrawing the spreader from said position to permit the jaws to close upon the sheets when the sheets are positioned between the jaws.

GEORGE J. BAETZI-IOLD. J. CHESTER MOLYNEUX.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,176,116. October 17, 19 9.

GEORGE J. BAETZHOLD, ET AL.

It is herebjrertified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows Page 6 first column, line 20, claim 6, for "carrier, open and foremost means" reed carrier open end foremost, -means; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the rec- 0rd of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of December, A. D. 1959;

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

